When should Depression be treated by a professional?

Sooner or later, everyone gets the blues. Feeling sadness, loneliness, or grief when you go through a difficult life experience is part of being human. And most of the time, you can continue to function. You know that in time, you will bounce back, and you usually do.

But what if you don’t bounce back?

What if your feelings of sadness linger, are excessive, or interfere with your work, sleep, or recreation? What if you are feeling fatigue or worthlessness, or experiencing weight changes along with your sadness?  What if you find yourself getting more irritated and angry?  Are you yelling at your children and spouse and feeling bad about yourself when you do?

Depression Treatment: When Should You Get Help?

According to the Diagnosis and Statistical Manuel for Mental Health Professionals, if you have five or more of these symptoms for most of the day, nearly every day or for at least two weeks, and the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with your daily activities, you may have major depression.
It is important to speak to your doctor about treatments to start helping you feel better.

Potential Benefits of Treatment

• Better Sleep
• Improved sexual desire and performance
• Pain relief
• Improved health
• Better Work Performance
• Sharper thinking and better memory
• Healthier lifestyle
• Increased energy
• Lower risk of future depression
• Stronger connections with family and friends

Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behavior, feelings and physical well-being.[1] It may include feelings of sadness, anxiety, emptiness, hopelessness, worthlessness, guilt, irritability, or restlessness. Depressed people may lose interest in activities that once were pleasurable, experience difficulty concentrating, remembering details, or making decisions, and may contemplate or attempt suicide. Insomnia, excessive sleeping, fatigue, loss of energy, or aches, pains or digestive problems that are resistant to treatment may be present.

Depression is associated with changes in substances in the brain (neurotransmitters) that help nerve cells communicate, such as Serotonin, Dopamine and Norepinephrine. The levels of these neurotransmitters can be influenced by, among other things, physical illnesses, genetics, hormonal changes, medications, aging, brain injuries, seasonal/light cycle changes, and social circumstances.

Schedule Our First Meeting – 561-585-8787
Leslie A. Zebel, PhD, Psychotherapist
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Certified Addictions Professional
7401 South Olive Avenue
West Palm Beach, FL 33405-5039